Cong veteran ML Fotedar dies at 85

New Delhi, September 28

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Makhan Lal Fotedar, a veteran Congress leader who was a close confidant of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, died today at the age of 85.

He died at 1.30 pm at Medanta hospital in Gurugram. Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr AK Dubey said Fotedar was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and respiratory infection and had been admitted on June 20.

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Hailing from Kashmir, Fotedar was ushered into politics by Jawaharlal Nehru in early 1950s and he gradually strengthened his position in the Congress to become one of the most powerful persons in the party. He enjoyed immense trust of Indira Gandhi, who had made him her political secretary in 1980. After her death, Rajiv Gandhi also made him his political secretary for three years, before inducting him in his Cabinet as a minister. Fotedar also was a member of the powerful Congress Working Committee for a long time. — PTI